A group of about 100 parents marched Thursday to save their children's schools.

The march took the group to the county's first school board meeting since parents learned of the possible school closings.

The superintendent recommended in late 2012 to close elementary schools Gardendale, Sea Park and South Lake. Clearlake Middle is also considered for closure.

"Closing schools is very difficult. We don’t want to close schools. It's what we do. We love to educate kids, but we're facing some very difficult economic conditions," said Michelle Irwin, spokeswoman of the Brevard County Schools.

In November, voters rejected a tax increase that would have improved school facilities and upgraded technology.

On top of the closures, officials said the district is at $30 million in cuts.

"There's so many cuts in there, (and) teachers' jobs are gone," said parent Michelle Speisman.

However, the people who actually have to make the decision weren’t at the meeting, and Irwin said the board members' no-show status was on purpose.

"The proper venue to address the board of education is at our board meetings. This was really designed to be a work session and let the parents, who are concerned about where their kids are going, the opportunity to give input. If board members were here, they may not have done that," Irwin said.